Reciprocating travel controlling means



May 2, 1950 w. s. LANDON RECIPROCATING TRAVEL CONTROLLING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 15 1947 INVEN TOR. um 70? 344mm, 050'. 8r MAP/0A Lfl/V00/V, 190M urv KM, ATTORNEY y 1950 w. s. LANDON 2,505,975

RECIPROCATING TRAVEL CONTROLLING MEANS Filed May 15 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Mama m/vwm 050 5 A/fli/O/Yf. psww/y, w/mr.

u ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1950 RECIPROCATIN G TRAVEL CONTROLLING MEANS Walter S. Landon, deceased, late of Detroit, Mich., by Marion E. Landon, administratrix, Detroit, Mich., assignor to Detroit Lubricator Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application May 15, 1947, Serial No. 748,300

16 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in means for controlling the length of stroke of an oscillatable member or the like.

An object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the length of stroke without altering the position to which the oscillated member returns at one end of its stroke.

Another object is to provide means by which the length of the stroke of an oscillatable member can beincreased or decreased at each end of the stroke independently of change in the extent of travel at the other end of the stroke.

The invention consists in the cooperative arrangement of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and the novelty of which will be particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, to be taken as a part of this specification, there are fully and clearly illustrated a number of preferred embodiments of the invention, in which drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in Vertical section of a longitudinally reciprocal metering valve embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of operating mechanism for another type of metering valve also embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a view partly in section of a metering valve and its operating mechanism;

Fig. 4 is a view of an electrically operated and adjustable means for regulating the stroke of a reciprocal member;

Fig. 5 is a partial view in section of a reciprocating pump having means for controlling the piston travel;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of a liquid fuel burner system having a pump with automatic means for controlling the pump feed for high and low fire burner operation;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in section on the line 1-1 of Fig. 8 of a reciprocating mechanism with another form of means for adjusting the stroke of the reciprocating member, and

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the mechanism of Fig. 7, but having the operating lever removed to show the adjusting means.

Referring to the drawings by characters of reference, in Fig. 1, the numeral I designates a constant level liquid chamber having a supporting bracket 2 projecting horizontally inward from the top of a side wall and having a cover member 3. The bracket 2 has a tubular guide member 4 extending therethrough and projecting upward through a cover member aperture. Above the cover member, the guide member 4 terminates in a spiral cam 5 having a low point 6 and a high point 1 with a stop portion or member 8 therebetween which has oppositely directed vertical stop faces. The stop member 8 also provides a horizontal surface for limiting downward movement of a cam follower member 9 by engagement of a hand adjusting knob Ill therewith and which has the follower member 9 integral therewith. The follower member 9 is limited to less than a complete revolution by engagement with the stop faces of the member 8. The cover member 3 has lndicia, not shown, corresponding to the cam high and low points and with which a rib pointer II on the knob l0 cooperates. downward extending thrust rod I2 which is guided for rotation and longitudinal reciprocation in the guide member 4. A coil spring i 3 surrounds the rod l2 and is held under compression between the bracket 2 and a flange II on the rod I2, urging the rod I2 downward. Positioned beneath and extending transversely to the rod l2, there is an operating lever l5 fulcrumed on a shaft l6 supported by the casing l. The lever l5 has, adjacent its free end, adjustable abutment members or screws l'l, I8 which are spaced radially of each other relative to the shaft I6 and therefore longitudinally of the lever such that the screw I! has a greater length or are of travel than the screw 48 for a given angular displacement of the lever I5. Attached to the screws I! and I8 are two stop discs l1 and II respectively. The angular adjustment of the screws I1 and I8 is limited to less than 360 by a stop pin l'l which engages the stop portion of stop discs Fl and I8 preventing further movement. The screws I1, I 8 cooperate with a plate member I9 rigidly secured to the top end of the valve stem or rod 20 of a longitudinally reciprocal metering valve having a metering slot 2| and a, conical seating portion 22 cooperable with a valve seat member 23 to meter and shutoff respectively the liquid flow through the outlet port formed by the seat member which is supported in an outlet conduit member 24 opening through the bottom wall of the casing I. The valve stem 20 is guided in supporting bracket 25 and is urged up toward valve-open position by a coil spring 26 which is held under compression between the casing i and a cross pin 21 projecting from the stem 20. The fluid flowing through this valve enters through an inlet conduit 28 which is controlled by any standard constant level inlet valve mechanism.

In operation the valve functions as follows: When the knob I 0 is turned toward open position it moves the cam follower 9 upward along the cam 5. As the cam follower 8 moves up- The knob l0 has a ward it carries with it the knob I and the thrust rod l2 thus compressing the spring l3 and at the same time permitting the lever |5 to move. The valve stem is urged toward open position by the spring 26 and hence is constantly bearing against the lever |5 through either or both of the screws I! and I3. In closed position the valve stem 23 bears against the screw H on the lever l5. As the thrust rod |2 moves upward permitting the lever ii to move, the valve stem 23 moves upward. This upward movement of the valve stem 20 is limited by the upward displacement of the screw against which it is bearing, and is proportional to the length of the lever arm.|5 from the fulcrum l6 to the screw or [3. It is obvious that the upward movement of the valve stem 23 will be greater per unit upward displacement of the thrust rod |2 when the stem is bearing against screw i1 than when it is hearing against screw it. The valve will therefore meter greater quantities of fluid per unit change up to the point at which the valve stem 20 changes from bearing against screw I! to bearing against screw i6. Inasmuch as the vertical travel of the thrust rod I2 is dependent upon the travel of the cam follower 9 which is limited by stop member 3 the range of movement of the lever I5 is substantially constant. The range of movement of the valve stem 20, however, is not strictly limited by the range of movement of the lever |5 since the screws l1 and ii are adjustable. By adjustment of screw II which controls the amount of valve opening in valve closed position the amount of fluid metered in this position can be varied from zero to that quantity which is delivered when the screw i1 is adjusted to its maximum flow position. Similarly the screw i3 can be adjusted to vary the amount of fluid delivered in open position within the limits of adjustment by the screw.

It is obvious then that by adjustment of either or both of the screws I1 and I6 the range of fluid flow can be changed either for closed or open position and the point at which the valve changes from high delivery rate to low delivery rate (the point at which both screws are bearing against plate ll of the valve stem 20) can be similarly changed. An additional advantage presented by the use of the adjustment screws l1 and it lies in the fact that the adjustment of the metering flow rate at full open and closed positions is independent of the movement of the cam follower 6 and thus does not affect the relationship of the rib II to the indicia on the cover member 3.

I Fig. 2 there is a valve tube or conduit 23 which conducts fluid to the metering slot 30 of a rotary valve member 3|. The valve member 3| is attached to and integral with a lever arm 32 which controls the valve member movement about the fulcrum 33. Spaced longitudinally along the lever arm 32 are two adjustable abutments or screws 34 and 35 whose function is to control the range fluid metering at open and closed position and to provide a greater increment of opening the valve member 3| toward closed position which holds the lever arm 32 compressed against lever 36 through either or both of the screws 34 or.

35. The cam 3'! is actuated by a knob or dial 4| to which it is connected by a torque to rod 42.

' 42, knob 4|, and indicator 43 are shown in perspective in approximately 90 rotation from their normal position. The dotted line view of the cam 31 which has been rotated 180 to move the valve to full open position shows the cam in its proper plane relative to the lever 36. Inasmuch as the shape of the cam 31 limits the movement of the lever 36 thereds no necessity for a stop member such as member 8 in Fig. l and the indicia on the knob 4| are the same on each side of the initial point, thus permitting a setting to be made by either clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation of the knob.

In operation Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. 1. Movement or the knob 4| turns the cam 31 which operates the lever 36. The thrust from the lever 36 is transmitted to the valve member 3| through either or both of the screws 34 and 35 on the lever arm 32. As in Fig. 1 the screw 35 having a longer lever arm gives a greater unit increment of valve opening until screw 34 is contacted and carries the thrust to the full open position as shown in dotted lines. The same open and closed position adjustments can be made as in Fig. 1 without changing the setting of the dial 4|.

In Fig. 3 there is a tapered metering valve stem 44 which is reciprocal in a metering outlet 45 and extends upward through the upper wall 46 c the valve assembly 41. A cross pin 46 holds the spring 49 in compression and the valve stem 44 is thus urged toward open position. The valve stem 44 is restrained by a lever 50 which has a fulcrum 5| and is positioned against either or both of two adjustable abutments or screws 52 and 53. The screws 52 and 53 are mounted on an actuating disc 54 which turns on an axle pin 55. The disc 54 is marked with indicia to indicate the position of the valve and is limited by two stop pins 56 and 51 which engage the indicator 53 at the limits of travel. The disc 54 is restrained from accidental movement by a friction spring 59. v

In operation Fig. 3 is similar to Figs. 1 and 2. In closed position the disc 54 is turned so that stop pin 51 is engaging the indicator 56. The screw 52 is then forcing down the lever 50 and the valve stem 44 is in closed position. As the disc 54 is turned in a clockwise direction the screw 52 rises permitting the lever 50' and valve stem 44 to rise toward open position; when screw 53 takes the load from screw 52 the unit increment of valve openin is decreased as in Figs. 1 and 2. (Since the valve stem 44 is between the fulcrum 5| and the screws, the screw 53 gives a smaller unit increment of opening.) The maximum open position of the disc 54 is determined by the position of the stop pin 56. The disc 54 is restrained from accidental movement by the friction spring 53. The same metering adjustments may be made with the screws 52 and 53 as in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Fig. 4 there is a plunger 60, which could be a valve stem, a piston for a pump or the like, which extends through a wall 6|. Afllxed to the top of the plunger 60 is a plate 62. A spring 63 between the plate 62 and the wall 6| urges the plunger 60 upward. On the plate 62 is an abutment 64 which is restrained by a lever 65. On one end of the lever 65 is an adjustable abutment or screw 66; the other end of the lever 65 is inserted through a movable armature 61 of a solenoid coil 68. The lever 65 has a fulcrum 63 5 between the armature 01 and the abutment 04 and operates between the limits set by two stop pins I and 1|. The solenoid coil 68 is energized by an electric circuit I2 containing a switch I3 which could be automatically and intermittently operable if the plunger 60 is to function as the piston of a pump.

In operation Fig. 4 differs but slightly from Figs. 1, 2 and 3. With the circuit deenergized the various parts are in position as shown in the drawing. When switch I3 is closed the circuit I3 energizes the coil 88 causing the armature 81 to move upward. The upward movement of the armature 81 carries with it the lever 65 causing it to rotate about its fulcrum 69 in a counterclockwise direction. When the armature 81 first begins to move, the lever 85 is hearing against the abutment 64 on the plate 82. The movement of the lever 65 causes the plunger G0-to move downward compressing the spring 03. The downward movement of the plunger, as m the other figures, will be less when the thrust of the lever 03 is being carried by the abutment 04 than when carried by the screw 66. The change of lever thrust from abutment 84 to screw 88 causes the plunger 60 to have a greater increment of travel per unit displacement of the armature 81 at the downward end of its travel. As in Fig. 3 the lever 65 operates between the limits of two stop pins I0 and 'II. Fig. 4 differs slightly from the others in that there is only one adjustable screw 80 and so only the length of the downstroke of the plunger 60 can be adjusted.

In Fig. 5 the device as described hereinbefore is adapted to actuate the piston or plunger of a pump. There is a longitudinally reciprocal rod or plunger I4 carried in a bore or cylinder I5. A lever I6 is operable to move the plunger I4 ina downward direction against a spring TI which exerts an upward thrust on said plunger. The lever I8 has a fulcrum I8 and is actuated by an eccentric driving member or rotary cam I9. The thrust from lever 11 is transmitted by either or both of two adjustable abutments or screws 80 and BI to a plate member 82 which is rigidly affixed to the plunger I8.

In operation Fig. 5 is similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that it is continuously operated. The rotation of the cam I9 forces the lever I8 downward and with it the plunger I4 causingthe spring 11 to be compressed. As the cam I9 rotates past its position of maximum travel it then permits the lever I6 and the plunger I4 to rise under the thrust of. the spring 11. This cycle is repeated with more or less rapidity in the continuous operation of the pump. Since the downward thrust from the lever I8 to the plate 82 is carried by the screws 80 and 8| the movement of the plunger I4 per unit movement of the lever I8 will be less when the thrust is carried by the screw 80 than when carried by screw 8I. By adjustment of the screws 80 and 8| the length of the downstroke and of the upstroke of the plunger I4 can be varied as in the other applications of this principle, here giving control of pump displacement.

In Fig. 6 the basic principle as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 is applied to a burner control system. There is an oscillatory operated member or piston 83, preferably a longitudinally reciprocal rod, which is carried in a bore or cylinder 84. There is an inlet conduit 85 to the cylinder 84 and an outlet conduit 88 from the cylinder 84 to a burner unit 81. The flow of fluid through the cylinder 84 is controlled by an inlet check valve and an outlet check valve 89. The piston 83, the cylinder 84, and the check valve 08 and 09 form the mechanism of a pump 90. Amxed to the upper end of the piston 83 is a plate member 9|. A spring 92 positioned between the plate 9| and the upper face of the cylinder 04 urges the piston 03 toward an upward position. There is a rotary operating member or lever 93 which has a fulcrum 94 and terminated at one end in a yoke 95 surrounding an eccentric driving member or cam 98. The cam 93 is driven by a torque rod 91 which is connected to an electric motor 93.

There is a main circuit 99 for the motor 98 which contains a switch I00. The switch I00 may be a manual switch or a thermostatic switch which will energize the motor 98 automatically. There is a, second circuit IOI which is in parallel .with the motor circuit 99 between the switch I00 and the motor 98 and which includes the primary I 02 of a transformer I03. A third circuit I04 includes the secondary I05 of the transformer I03, a heater element I06, and a room thermostat IIII.

At the other end of the lever 93 are two adjustable abutment members or screws I08 and I09. The screw I09 in addition to being adjustable vertically is positioned in a mounting bracket IIO which pivots on a pivot pin III by which the bracket H0 is aflixed to the lever 93. The pivotable bracket IIO has yoke arm H2 which has positioned therein one end of a bimetal thermoresponsive element H3. The other end of the bimetal element H3 is aflixed to a bracket II4 by which it is mounted on the lever 93. The bimetal element H3 is responsive to the temperature of the heater element I08, which is responsive to the room thermostat I01, and is operable to move the pivotable bracket H0 and the screw I09 into and out of position as required.

In operation the system in Fig. 6 functions as follows: When the switch I00 is closed (either manually or thermostatically) the circuits 99, IN and I04 are energized. The motor 98 upon energization begins to turn the cam 96 which causes the lever 93 to turn about the fulcrum 94 in oscillatory motion. The downstroke of the screw I08 bearing against the plate 9I causes the piston 33 to move downward. On the up stroke of the screw I08 the piston 83 moves upward being urged in this direction by the spring 92. The operation of the piston 83 by the screw I08 alone provides fuel for low-fire or pilot operation. If the room thermostat I0! is closed, calling for additional heat, the circuit I04 is completed causing the element I08 to heat. Upon heating of the element I08 the bimetal element II3 moves the screw I09 into operating position. With the screw I09 in position the lever then functions as in Figs. 1 to 5 increasing the length of the downstroke. This increase in the length of the stroke provides additional fuel for high fire operation. By adjustment of the screws I08 and I09 the length of the downstroke and of the upstroke can be adjusted as required.

It is obvious that in Figs. 2 to 6 the range of adjustment of the screws on the lever arms can be controlled by a stop disc and stop pin as in Fig. 1.

In Figs. 7 and 8 there is shown a modification of the basic principle illustrated in the preceding figures. There is a longitudinally reciprocal .rod or plunger II 5 having a plate member II 6 on its upper end and extending through a wall H1 in which it is guided. Positioned between the plate 8 and the wall I" is a spring 8 which urges 7 the plume!- III toward an upward position. Another plate or wall member II! is positioned ahovethe pllmger III. There is alever i2l havhu :1. fulcrum I2I on an abutment-I22 aillxed to the wall II3. Positioned between the lever Ill and the plate II are two abutment memhers-or mns I21 and I24. The pins I23 and .424 extend through two curved slots I25 and I26 inthe wall Ill and are positioned and guided in two pivoted supporting members I21 and I23. The pivot members I21 and I28 are pivoted on fulcrum points l2! and I33 and terminate in pointed ends which act as indicators against indicia I3l on the wall H9. The pivot members Iflfiand I23 have the function of adjusting the position of the pins I23 and I24 longitudinally along the lever I20.

pump.

In operation the device il1:strated in Figs. '1

and 8 is similar to the others with a few modiilcations. The spring H8 urges the plunger lli toward an upward position and compresses the plate Ili against the lever I2l, acting through either or both of pins I23 and I24. When the cam I32 is turned, it alternately forces the lever I23 downward and then permits it to rise under the thrust of the spring II8. As in the other modifications of this'principle, when the lever I23 is hearing through pin I24 the rate of travel of the plunger II! per unit displacement of the lever I24 is less than when the thrust is carried by pin I23. The essential difierence between this and the other forms of the invention is that the length oi downstroke and of upstroke are adjusted not by changing the length of the thrust pins but by changing their distance from the fulcrum of the lever.

What is claimed and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a device or the character described, a reciprocatory operated member having a variable range of movement, means movably supporting said member, a reciprocal rotary operating memher having a fulcrum and a fixed range of movement, a thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, a second thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, said thrust members being spaced radially at different distances from and on the same side of the operating member fulcrum, and means to adjust the extent of nmvement of said operated member by one of said thrust members.

2. In a device of the character described, a reciprocatory operated member having a variable range of movement, means movably supporting said member, a reciprocal rotary operating member having a fulcrum and a fixed range of movement, a thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, a second thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, said thrust members being spaced radially at different distances from and on the same side of the operating member fulcrum, and means to adjust one of said thrust members relative to said operating member thereby to change the extent of aromas 1,

movement or said operated member by said operating member. I

3. In a device or the character described, a longitudinally movable rod. means to move said rod in one direction, lever means to move said rod in the opposite direction, thrust members spaced radially at diilferent distances from and on the same side of the lever means fulcrum, said lever means having a fixed range of travel, one of said thrust members transmitting movement from said lever means to said rod'at one end 0! said lever means travel, the other of said thrust members transmitting movement to said rod at the other end of said lever means travel, and means to adjust one of said thrust members to change the extent of movement imparted to said rod by said lever means.

4. In a device of the character described, a reciprocatory operated member, means movahly supporting said member, a reciprocal rotary operating member having a fulcrum and operable to actuate said operated member, an abutment carried by one of said members and engageable with the other of said members to transmit movemenfifrom' said rating member to said operated member in one direction, a second abutment carried by one of said members and engageable with the other of said members to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member in said one direction, said abutments being spaced radially relative to each other at one side of said fulcrum, and means to adjust one of said abutments to regulate the extent of movement of said operated member by said one abutment.

5. In a device of the character described, a controlling member, means movably supporting said member, a rotary operating member having a fulcrum and limitsof .movement in opposite directions, an adjustable abutment carried by one of said members and engageable with the other of said members, said abutment being adjustable to determine the position of said controlling member when said rotary member is at one limit' of its movement, a second adjustable abutment carried by one of said members and engageable with the other of said members, said second abutment being adjustable to determine the position of said controlling member when said rotary member is at the other limit of its movement, said abutments being spaced radially of said rotary member for sequential e i action.

6. In a device of the character described. an operating lever, a plunger engaging said lever. cam means having predetermined travel and operable to move said plunger, adjustable 'abutment screws spaced longitudinally of said lever,

- a longitudinally reciprocal rod, said screws being engageable with and operable to move said rod longitudinally in one direction, and resisting means to move said rod longitudinally in the opposite direction, one of said screws being adjustable to determine the movement of said rod by said lever, the other of said screws being adjustable to determine the extent of movement of said rod by said resisting means.

7. In a device of the character described. an operating lever, cam means having predetermined travel and operable to move said lever. a valve member, a lever for actuating said member, abutment screws spaced longitudinally of and secured to one of said levers, one of said screws transmitting movement between said levers at one end of the travel of said cam means, and the other of said screws transmitting moveacoac'ze ment between said levers at the other end oi the travel of said cam means.

8. In a device of the character described, a longitudinally reciprocal rod, a lever operable to move said rod in one direction, a spring to return said rod upon movement of said lever in the opposite direction, an eccentric driving member engaging and operable to move said lever, an abutment member transmitting movement from said lever to said rod at one end of the rod movement, and an adjustable abutment member operable to transmit movement from said lever to said rod at the other end of the rod movement.

9. In a device of the character described, a longitudinally reciprocal rod, a lever operable to move said rod in one direction, a spring to return said rod upon movement of said lever in the opposite direction, an eccentric driving member to move said lever for rod movement in said one direction, an abutment member transmitting movement from said lever to said rod at one end of the rod movement, an abutment member movable into and out of motion transmitting relation between said lever and said rod, said second-named abutment member being spaced a reater distance from the lever fulcrum than said first-named abutment member, and means to move said second-named abutment member into and out of said motion transmitting relation.

10. In a device of the character described, a longitudinally reciprocal rod, a lever operable to move said rod in one direction, a spring to return said rod upon movement of said lever in the op- .posite direction, an eccentric driving member to move said lever for rod movement in said one direction, an abutment member transmitting movement from said lever to said rod at one end of the rod movement, an abutment member having a pivotal support for swinging movement into and out of motion transmitting relation between said lever and said rod, said second-named abutment member being spaced a greater distance from the lever fulcrum than said first-named abutment member, a bimetal heat motor operable to swing said second-named abutment member into and out of said motion transmitting relation, and means to heat said motor.

11. In a device oi the character described, an operating lever, a plunger engaging said lever, an electric solenoid coil having a predetermined travel and operable to move said plunger, a, thrust member operable to transmit movement from said lever to said plunger, a second thrust member to transmit movement from said lever to said plunger, said thrust members being spaced radially at different distances from and on the same side of the fulcrum of said lever, and means to adiust one of said thrust members relative to said plunger thereby to change the extent oi movement of said plunger by said electrically operated means.

12. In a device of the character described, a reciprocatory operated member having a variable range of movement, means movably supporting said member, a reciprocal rotary operating memher having a fulcrum and a fixed range of movement, a thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, a second thrust member operable to transmit movement from said operating member to said operated member, and said thrust members being spaced radially at difierent distances from and on the same side of the operating member fulcrum.

13. In a device of the character described, a longitudinally movable rod, means to move said rod in one direction, lever means to move said rod in the opposite direction, thrust members spaced radially at different distances from and on the same side of the lever means fulcrum, said lever means having a fixed range of travel, one of said thrust members transmitting movement from said lever means to said rod at one end of said lever means travel, and the other of said thrust members transmitting movement to said rod at the other end of said lever means travel.

14. A device as defined in claim 12 wherein the rotary operating member is a lever, the thrust nembers are pins reciprocally mounted and spaced longitudinally of the lever for transmitting movement to the operated member, and including means for adjusting the longitudinal spacing of said thrust pins relative to said lever and to each other.

15. In a device of the character described, a reciprocatory operated member having a variable range of movement, a reciprocal rotary operating member having a fulcrum and a fixed range of movement, first and second adjustable abutment members, said first abutment member engaging said operated member at one limit of its movement to determine its extent of movement in one direction, said second abutment member engaging said operated member to determine the limit of its movement in the other direction, said abutment members being independently adjustable to determine the range of movement of said operated member, and at least one of said abutment members being carried by said operating member to transmit movement from said operated member, said lever engaging said operated member and being positioned for sequential engagement by said thrust members longitudinally thereof. I

MARION E. LANDON.

- Administratria: of Walter S. Landon, Deceased.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 

